I have been called narrow minded. Discuss.
tags:Skepticism
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An archive of the original Aurora Walking Vacation
About Me
- Call me Paul
I'm a Canadian, but don't hold that against me. We're really quite nice once you get to know us.
I'm an Atheist, but don't hold that against me. We're really quite nice, once you get to know us.
I think you've got a beautiful body, and if you wanted to, you could hold that against me.
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26 comments:
Who said that? I'll find them and gut them like a fish.
You're Canadian, and therefore, you are too polite to gut anyone like a fish. Me? I'm American. I have no manners. So, let me at 'em.
-Dan
Um...my wife.
-Paul
Paul, you always seem to be pointing your finger at Catholics. Why is that? Catholics aren't the only ones who believe in God or some other supreme being...I mean give the Jews and Muslims, Lutherns et all some grief, too. Were you molested by a priest or something?
Oh my....
Well I was ready to say something, then seeing it was from your wife, I must refrain for it puts in a whole other(venus) light...
I dont think you are..but that would be basing it on this forum...
Peace
Seeing as I know your wife... and I know you... AND SHE KNOWS WHERE I LIVE!!
I'll do what any intelligent man does when he hears a woman say something silly.
"Yes dear."
You're on yer own.
Brent
Tee,
I don't think I'm pointing my finger at Catholics specifically. I pretty much always use the term 'Christian' which can be defined as anyone who believes Christ was divine. Although, you are correct in saying that there is essentially no difference between Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc. Anyone who believes in a God or Gods of any description are really who I am talking about.
All,
Don't worry about the fact it was my wife who made the comment. I actually want to have a serious discussion about the topic. Am I narrow minded, and why?
-Paul
I'm not sure I want to get into this. I wouldn't call you narrow-minded, because that implies a very limited range or interests, attitudes and behaviors. Your interests are fairly wide-ranging, as are your behaviors. However, I would say that you've put reality itself in a rather narrow box, and don't seem to give serious consideration to things that seem to fall outside the box. There's a big difference between lunatic fringe irrational beliefs and the mainsteam ones held by quite a few rational, educated people (cough cough). Sometimes I think you shove it all into your big box marked "phony baloney"--and then ignore all but the most laughable items in the collection. - Karen
silly billy
nat
I'm sure your wife knows what she's talking about. However, you must be taking a step in the right direction if you're willing to let a bunch of bloggers chime in on the subject.
http://2writehands.blogspot.com
I don't think you're narrow minded, Paul. You've got some strong opinions. But, I think if someone showed you that you may have overlooked something, or were wrong in any way, I think you'd change those opinions. You certainly don't strike me as the type to "stay the course," after all.
-Dan
I agree with Mavarin that you're not narrow-minded, but I have to strongly disagree that you "don't seem to give serious consideration to things that seem to fall outside the box."
On the contrary, a quick look at your blog shows that you give a lot more consideration to such issues than most people. You may have decided that such things either don't exist or don't make sense, but--whether people agree with your conclusion or not--your views have always struck me as being the result of careful consideration.
There's a difference between not believing in something, and not being willing to even consider something. Let's consider some of your traits. You've always been willing to listen to arguments against your position. On several instances you've freely acknowledged when you believe someone has made a good point against something you've said and adjusted your beliefs and arguments accordingly. You value reason and logic. These do not strike me as the traits of someone who is narrow minded, and again, whether or not people agree with your beliefs, I do not think anyone would argue that you have these traits.
-Alec
Not "narrow minded" but perhaps steadfast might be more appropriate. I would suggest that once you have formed an opinion it is difficult to dislodge. I seem to recall someone telling me about " a one-horse snowken sleigh" in your history.
you love to say that the Emperor has no clthes. Thing is: when do you close your eyes and wonder what dreams await? when do you sit down and offer another elk of Jlander a cup of coffee and want to share their aspirations /if totally different from your own?
Hey how about telling us about what it's liek to be a hard working daddy and husband?
Perhaps we could talk about the use of diplomacy and a level playing field in a forum are you game?
natalie
Level playing field
http://journals.aol.com/lurkynat/Interface/entries/1059
natalie
ok and here is a discussion I invite yu to alos about diplomacy Paul:
http://journals.aol.com/lurkynat/Interface/entries/1060
Sometimes it can be an understnading of all fo the people who participate in, say, a three person forum becasue other wise the continuity that you may have wished for can get lost abit. Cheers! natalie
Okay,
No... Not narrow minded. Definitely the wrong description.
Closed minded might be better.
But before you, or others jump the gun, let me explain.
You are closed to anything that cannot be seen, touched, heard or tasted.
You are closed to anything that requires an assumption for it to be validated.
You are closed to anything that cannot be offered up and tested scientifically in a way that eliminates any possibility of tampering, fraud or even innocent mistakes.
White men can't jump and Paul cannot leap! (Leap of faith that is).
Other than that, you are just annoyingly informed.
It is very difficult to debate something with you because chances are, you almost always have spent more time researching the issue and therefore have more points with which you can deflate your opponents arguments.
This does not always mean you are right... but it makes it awfully hard to find the weaknesses in your arguments.
I have a funny feeling this might be the source of (lovely Pat) your wife's comment.
Brent
PS - Sometimes a leap can be fun - just a thought.
Hey, I call the Big Guy narrow minded all the time. Because he is. That's okay, I like him anyway. Tina
And I have been called shallow and immature . . . it's all just a matter of opinion, I for one think you are perfectly fine the way you are.
Amanda :)
http://journals.aol.com/trickeytricky/CountryMyKindaLivin
Narrow minded? Hmmm... think on this, I will.
You are, obviously, a very skeptical person who approaches contentious issues from the firmament of critical thought. Not a bad approach. Taking that approach leads you to strongly held conclusions that are sometimes (dare I say 'frequently'?) at odds with the opinions of others to some degree or other. It is in defense of this position (whatever it is) that you can take on a very challenging tone. In a of 'Come on! Prove it to me!' sort of way. Depending on where you and any detractors are coming from with respect to your viewpoints, this can come across as beligerence bordering on arrogance with a wee dram o' hubris in the mix.
So perhaps narrow minded is not quite the right label from this perspective. You show more of a refusal to take things 'on faith', which is sort of at the heart of skepticism, isn't it?
But then I don't have to live with you, so I don't know what your wife was talking about specifically.
Simon
http://simianfarmer.com
Specifically, we were having a discussion - my parents, sister, wife, and I - about my recent blog entry that has garnered almost 100 comments to date.
-Paul
I agree with this wholeheartedly.... Brent says it well.... Some people stated that you actually changed your opinion on something after a discussion... really? When did that ever happen?? I find that hard to believe.... not a slight at you at all, Paul, sorry if it sounds that way...
be well.. Dawn...
<<<Okay,
No... Not narrow minded. Definitely the wrong description.
Closed minded might be better.
But before you, or others jump the gun, let me explain.
You are closed to anything that cannot be seen, touched, heard or tasted.
You are closed to anything that requires an assumption for it to be validated.
You are closed to anything that cannot be offered up and tested scientifically in a way that eliminates any possibility of tampering, fraud or even innocent mistakes.
White men can't jump and Paul cannot leap! (Leap of faith that is).
Other than that, you are just annoyingly informed.
It is very difficult to debate something with you because chances are, you almost always have spent more time researching the issue and therefore have more points with which you can deflate your opponents arguments.
This does not always mean you are right... but it makes it awfully hard to find the weaknesses in your arguments.
I have a funny feeling this might be the source of (lovely Pat) your wife's comment.
Brent
PS - Sometimes a leap can be fun - just a thought.
Comment from bpslider45 - 08/07/06 5:26 PM>>>>
Dawn said: "Some people stated that you actually changed your opinion on something after a discussion... really? When did that ever happen??"
When I was presented with a compelling argument that convinced me my understanding of the facts was erroneous. Such is the nature of skepticism. You can change my mind if you can present me with evidence that my previous position was incorrect. I am open to that. Why wouldn't I be?
-Paul
Okay... duh, Paul. I wanted to know if in this journal, you have an 'example' of that. I understand the concept, Mr. Smarty Pants!!!!
be well,
Dawn
Paul, I hope you don't mind me answering Dawn, but I was one of those that said you freely adjust your views when the arguments/evidence makes sense to do so.
I've seen and heard Paul do so both in person and on other forums, but you asked for examples in this journel Dawn. Here are a few from just the last couple of months:
"after making a comment two entries ago regarding the difference between the average believer in God and the highly visible, fundamentalist minority, I have again gone and tarred with too wide a brush, here."
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/entries/1955
"Dianna, I apologise to you, and accept your definition of your beliefs or feelings."
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/entries/1954
"I'd just like to say that the comments here have been excellent, and do bring up something that many of us atheists forget. 95% of people who claim to believe in God do not shoot at abortion doctors, or fly airplanes into buildings, or condemn whole states just because they got some bad weather. Most religious people are quite content to go about their lives and their beliefs without shoving them down other people's throats. It's just too bad that the most outrageous 5% get so much visibility."
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/entries/1953
Alec,
thank you for your time in giving me those examples but to me those are not examples of Paul changing one of his personal beliefs due to what someone else said to him.
be well,
Dawn
Dear Paul,
I think you try really hard ot engage people in discussions here that are meaningful. I think you are sincere and I think you love Dawn! lol!
thanks for the great discussion!
natalie
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